Immigrantly

Today's episode is a special treat for all you tech enthusiasts, Black Mirror binge-watchers, and fans of the Terminator franchise! I am delving deep into the realm of artificial intelligence, but with a twist – through the lens of feminist ethics. I sit down with the brilliant Dr. Kerry McInerney, a scholar and AI ethicist whose work sheds light on the intersection of feminism, race, and technolo...

Do you ever feel that the term 'resilience 'needs to capture the essence of our experiences? I sure do! Join me for a critical discussion on this topic. And guess what? I've got a special guest in the house— Vinita Srivastava , a seasoned multimedia producer, researcher, podcaster, and writer. She and I dive into her latest project, the 'Don't Call Me Resilient' podcast. Through our conversations,...

The use of 'Genocide' in discussions about Gaza has captured global attention, stirring a complex debate around its implications. In this episode, Ernesto Verdeja, a Professor of peace studies and global politics, joins me in dissecting the meaning and application of this term within the Israel-Palestine situation. We aim to understand the term, the criteria for its use, and the divergent viewpoin...

As you know, I am always looking for great stories that we can create in-house and share in this space. And when I heard this story, I knew I had to share it with all of you! This episode from the Rightnowish podcast delves into many familiar themes of belonging, assimilation, loss, and finding our whole selves in this society. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Next week, I will be back with I...

As we witness institutions like the University of Florida and major corporations like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan scaling back their DEI efforts due to political pressures, are we allowing divisive rhetoric to overshadow the importance of creating inclusive environments where everyone feels valued? My guest today, Netta Jenkins , is a leader in the DEI space. She embodies the spirit of challenging...

Today, I am diving deep into the multifaceted world of beauty – an intensely personal and profoundly public topic. The beauty landscape has undergone a seismic shift from societal perceptions to self-reflection in the age of social media and video calls. In a world where self-scrutiny is constant, have we become more conscious of our own uniqueness? Are we conditioned to view ourselves through an...

Meet Ana Sheila Victorino – she's an amazing human being! Ana's all about well-being and empowerment. She co-founded "Bask & Being" for workplace wellness and hosted the Tamarindo Podcast. This podcast discusses politics, culture, and self-development and has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Latino USA, Latina Magazine, Variety Magazine's Entertainment and Tech Summit, and Hip Latina. Today, A...

Today’s episode features the remarkable Negin Farsad!, a brilliant writer and comedian known for her hilarious wit and astute commentary. You might recognize Negin as the host of the popular podcast "Fake the Nation," where she engages in lively discussions about culture, politics, and everything. With an impressive lineup of guests, including luminaries like Samantha Bee and Margaret Cho, Negin f...

I'm excited to chat with the impressive Chef Jesus Diaz. From starting in a Florida sushi joint to becoming a household name on Despierta America, his journey is remarkable. With a cookbook, cooking attire line, two Emmy wins, and even a dance show victory under his belt, Chef Jesus is a force to be reckoned with. In this episode, we unpack his incredible story and learn what makes his cuisine and...

Join me as I uncover the heartwarming tale of Send Chinatown Love , a nonprofit born out of the unity of New York City's Chinatown during the pandemic. Elaine Mao and Christoph Grosse share insights into their mission beyond restaurants, tackling hate crimes, and supporting the elderly. We do a deep dive into their latest project, the "Made Here" cookbook, featuring a plethora of unique recipes fr...

In today's episode, I am joined by Supinder Wraich, a trailblazing Canadian writer and actress. You might recognize her from her standout performance as "Aqsa" in the Peabody award-winning series "Sort of," which is currently in its gripping third and final season on HBO. Supinder not only captivates audiences on screen but has also left an indelible mark as the creator and star of her mini-series...

In January 2023, I sat down with Amy Choi and Rebecca Lehrer, the cohosts of The Mash-Up Americans podcast. Our conversation centered on their series on grief. We discussed grief, how we can understand it without over-pathologizing the sentiment, and why it’s both universal and personal. The most remarkable about the conversation is that we kept it light and honest.” Today, I am so psyched to shar...

Harvard's first black president, Claudine Gay, resigned recently following several controversies over the past few months. But the  real  controversy, at least for this episode of Immigrantly, is the fact that regarding her resignation, conservatives (from billionaires to politicians) have been denouncing Gay as a "diversity hire."  If you're unfamiliar with the term, this is the perfect episode t...

Finding meaningful connections becomes crucial in a world where loneliness affects physical and mental well-being. Whether solidifying familial ties or seeking companions who offer stability, love, and tranquility, the pursuit is universal. However, reality often reminds us that finding the perfect companion is difficult. How does this quest transform when elements like AI and money come into play...

Welcome back! Today's guest, Jane Wong, is a poet, a professor, and a restaurant kid - her new book, “Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City,” covers growing up in a Chinese-American restaurant and reckoning with her ancestral past and present. In her book, you can expect passages as specific as ‘How to fall asleep so your mom picks you up” or earlier in that same chapter, “How to lock your brother in t...

For the final Immigrantly episode of 2023, I decided to learn more about America’s most popular winter holiday—Christmas. Although I don’t celebrate it, this podcast is all about cross-cultural connections, regardless of our differences. And what better way to learn about a different culture than through its food?  So, join me and the Immigrantly team as we explore a few iconic American Christmas...

Meet the incredible Siddharth Katragadda, a San Diego-based artist extraordinaire who's not just a painter, photographer, and award-winning filmmaker but a force for change. Born and raised in India, Siddharth weaves captivating narratives through his art, tackling social justice issues head-on. Join us for a lively conversation as we uncover the magic behind his diverse talents and how he's shapi...

My today’s guest, Pervaiz Shallwani- From covering intense stories like the George Floyd protests to reporting on the Brooklyn subway shooting, Pervaiz is spicing things up in the food scene. Now, he's cooking up 'Chaat Dog'—a mashup of his Chicago background and Pakistani roots. It's not just hot dogs; it's a tasty journey blending cultures and stories. Join the conversation as Pervaiz dishes out...

Inspired by the ongoing suffering in Palestine, this episode explores language's power and potential harm. Words aren’t harmless and are often dangerous. Slight differences in word choice alter people’s perceptions. Minor differences can turn humans into “animals.” There’s no guest today; instead, I investigate the subtle nuances in our words through the deeply rooted history of “dog-whistling.” I...

Today's guest is the multi-award-winning podcaster and sex educator Sangeeta Pillai. Sangeeta hosts the Masala podcast that features interviews with South Asian women about taboo topics and their narratives. Sangeeta is also the founder of the South Asian feminist platform Soul Sutras. Her work extends from the world of podcasting into the Masala Monologues series, hosting writing workshops and th...

We bring to you our annual Thanksgiving episode with interviews with our very own Immigrantly team members on what the day looks like in their household. Some of us celebrate it, others don’t, and we grapple with what this holiday can look like as we move through a fraught political environment and acknowledge dark histories. Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of...

Atheer Yacoub is a New York-based Palestinian-Muslim comedian, writer, and podcaster. Through her unique lens, she explores the complexities of her upbringing, Palestinian identity, and the current political climate. Her debut comedy album, "Denied Entry," offers a compelling glimpse into her experiences. Co-creator of "Muslim Girls DTF: Discuss Their Faith" and co-host of "The No Fly List" podcas...

Prepare for a rollercoaster of talent and intrigue as I welcome the incredibly versatile Alex Estrada to our show! As a prolific writer in TV and stand-up comedy, Alex wears many hats, including being the brilliant mind behind the Disney animated comedy Hamster and Gretel. But that's not all – he also takes on the role of a meticulous investigator in his podcast, The Estate, where he delves into t...

Our guest is Dr. Sofya Aptekar- As an Associate Professor of Urban Studies at the City University of New York, she uncovers society’s secrets, from gentrification in Astoria Queens to the complexities of immigration and the military. Her latest book, ‘Green Card Soldier.' unravels the fascinating complexities within the US military system, shedding light on a world often shrouded in mystery. With...

Join me for a wild ride through the fascinating world of human connection and empathy with an award-winning journalist, Andrea Smardon. We'll dive deep into the real deal of human bonds versus shallow gestures while having a good laugh. Andrea's podcast series, 'Stranger Becomes Neighbor,' takes us on a rollercoaster with Afghan refugees in Salt Lake City. With her sharp wit and journalistic talen...